Courtside Revelation
Aiden had another basketball practice last night. He spent most of it working on the fundamentals – dribbling and passing. Here are some things I realized last night:
* Aiden is the youngest boy on his team…by far. The next kid is something like 6 months older than him, which is an eternity in boy-time. He’s on the tall side for his age, but when he lines up with his team, he looks itty bitty.
* In spite of his youth, he’s the best chest passer on the team. I’m not just saying this because I’m the proud papa. He has tons of room for improvement in all of the other fundamentals (especially defense away from the ball…how do you teach that when you can only play one-on-one? Any suggestions?), but he can pass the ball really well.
* Aly is not even four yet and she’d already rather play with the big girls than be with her Daddy. I’m sure this will lead to many years of heartbreak. You know, I was watching a tribute to Steve Martin a few weeks ago and realized I hadn’t watched Father of the Bride since Aly had been born. Then I realized I don’t think I want to watch it. I’m sure that day will come entirely too soon when I will be living that exact movie! Watching it now would probably just make me cry.
* Speaking of crying, let’s talk about Kentucky for a moment. Last season, I mentioned a certain Wildcat team that filled up on cupcake teams to pad their schedule before conference play. They must have listened to me, because they’re playing several ranked opponents before the SEC season begins. That being said, don’t expect them to do it again. They got beat by Iowa at Rupp. I fully expect them to go back to junk food next year. Scaredy cats
* IU is 2-0. Of course, they haven’t played anyone of substance yet. Regardless of your opponent, it’s impressive when you drop 100 points on someone. Especially when you’re IU. One week to go before the Dukies come to town. Here’s hoping for another #1 team to fall at Assembly Hall!
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UK
to burst one of your little bubbles…. UK did lose to Iowa, but not at Rupp…. I’m not 100% sure, but I believe it was part of the Guardians Tournament in Kansas City. By the way, UK did also schedule Georgetown and UNC at home this winter…
Dad
Re: UK
That’s what I’m getting at – they have a strong schedule this year. They beat West Virginia yesterday, and they were top 25. I’m not knocking UK’s talent, I just think their scheduling practices have been If they lose another one, I wouldn’t expect them to have as tough a schedule in the near future. Gotta pad the win column, after all. I realize lots of major programs do this, but it seems like Kentucky has done this more frequently than most. I’m sure I’m just biased, though. I do think their weak nonconference schedules hurt them in the postseason the past few years. Two years ago they went out in the second round; they didn’t exactly run Eastern Kentucky out of the building – they had a good lead, but it wasn’t the blowout many expected.
I do stand corrected on the location of the loss to Iowa.
Why am I talking so much about Kentucky? I must stop now. 8{)}
Of course, don’t I make my point moot when I justify IU’s performance against less than stellar talent. I just hope they give Kentucky a good run this time out.
Re: UK
I must recant part of my message … UK played Georgetown COLLEGE in a pre-season game at Rupp…. this was MY mistake for thinking it was Georgetown University (out of Washington, DC)…..
Sincere apologies…. (and a return to feeling UK pads its schedule).
Dad
under this new format, can we see other folks’ comments?
DLT
Should be able to. Click here. Can you see Liz’s comment?
Comments have been a little slim this past month. Looking at my calendar (on the right of the “Recent Entries” Page), I’ve posted something almost every day. I don’t think my regular readers are that regular. 8{)}
If you can’t see other comments, let me know and I’ll try to fix it.
yes, I can see it… I had before…..
don’t change anything yet…. let me spend some time with it.
DLT
Re: UK
Certainly, I am no UK fan…. I just wanted you to have the facts straight….
I did notice the irony(?) of IU soft early schedule vs. UK’s…. of course, UK did play High Point and Lipscomb and a couple of other powerhouses.
DLT
Re: UK
You had me worried there for a minute. I thought your clients were rubbing off on you or something.
;{)}